2 answers
Emma
Student
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1
Question
Asked
547 views
What careers can I look into as a digital marketing major?
I'm a college freshman, and the most common answer I get is "social media manager," but I'm looking for other options too. What are some other career opportunities, in either marketing or digital marketing? Are there any careers I can pursue that involve analyzing consumer data and activity?
Login to comment
2 answers
Daniela Arévalo R.
CRM Marketing Manager
2
Answers
Hopewell Junction, New York
Updated
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Emma, I began my journey in digital marketing, focusing on SEO, SEM, and social media, and have now grown into a CRM Marketing Manager role. This is just one of the many exciting paths you can explore in marketing, where you can dive into data analysis, experiment with A/B testing, explore prediction analysis, and engage in both quantitative and qualitative research, along with strategic thinking. What excites me about digital marketing is its vastness and the endless opportunities it offers to shape a career that fits your skills and passions, whether that’s in data analysis, operations, strategic thinking, creativity, psychology, and many more as Magdalena mentioned on her post. I have a background in Journalism and a passion for writing, which I get to incorporate into my work from time to time!
David Ludwick
Business Owner
60
Answers
Huntington Beach, California
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Emma,
That’s a great question—and it's smart of you to think beyond the typical “social media manager” role. Digital marketing is a broad field, and your interest in analyzing consumer data and behavior opens the door to many exciting, in-demand careers. As a digital marketing major interested in analyzing consumer data and behavior, you have a variety of career paths beyond social media manager that align with your curiosity.
1. Marketing Analyst / Consumer Insights Analyst
What you'll do: Interpret data from campaigns, surveys, and user behavior to understand what customers want and how they behave.
Skills needed: Google Analytics, Excel, SQL, data visualization (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), statistics.
Why it fits you: You’ll dive deep into consumer behavior patterns and help companies make data-driven decisions.
2. Digital Marketing Strategist
What you'll do: Develop and oversee comprehensive digital marketing campaigns across channels (SEO, PPC, email, social).
Skills needed: Marketing strategy, analytics tools, paid ad platforms (Google Ads, Meta Ads), A/B testing.
Bonus: You'll use data insights to shape full-funnel marketing strategies.
3. SEO/SEM Specialist
What you'll do: Optimize website content and paid ads to improve visibility in search engines.
Skills needed: Google Search Console, SEO tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush), keyword research, copywriting basics.
Why it’s data-focused: You’ll analyze search trends, click-through rates, and conversion data constantly.
4. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Specialist
What you'll do: Improve website and ad performance through testing and user experience analysis.
Skills needed: A/B testing, user behavior tools (Hotjar, Crazy Egg), web design basics, UX principles.
Appeal: You mix data and creativity to drive measurable growth.
5. Marketing Automation Specialist
What you'll do: Design automated email campaigns and customer journeys using platforms like HubSpot, Mailchimp, or Salesforce.
Skills needed: CRM systems, email marketing, customer segmentation, analytics.
Why it's analytical: You measure engagement and refine touch points based on behavior.
6. Growth Marketer / Performance Marketer
What you'll do: Focus on acquiring and retaining users using data-driven methods (ads, email, content, landing pages).
Skills needed: Funnels, metrics like CAC/LTV, cohort analysis, paid media.
Fast-paced: Often found in startups where testing and iteration are constant.
7. UX Researcher (with marketing focus)
What you'll do: Conduct user research, interviews, and usability testing to guide product or marketing strategies.
Skills needed: Survey tools, data analysis, behavioral psychology, storytelling.
Interesting angle: You focus on why users act the way they do.
8. Brand Strategist (with a research focus)
What you'll do: Shape how a brand is perceived by understanding market positioning and customer sentiment.
Skills needed: Market research, competitor analysis, consumer psychology, qualitative research.
Ideal if: You love both data and storytelling.
Roles like consumer insights analyst, digital marketing analyst, and CRM specialist are particularly strong fits for your interest in consumer data and behavior, offering a blend of creativity and analytics. Growth marketing and behavioral marketing are exciting for fast-paced, experimental work. If you lean toward technical skills, consider upskilling for a marketing-focused data scientist role long-term. Start exploring these through internships and certifications to build a clearer path by your junior year.
Courses: Take electives in statistics, consumer psychology, data visualization, or coding (Python/SQL). Consider a minor in data analytics if your program allows.
Experience: Seek internships or part-time roles in marketing or research (e.g., at your college’s marketing department or local businesses). Join marketing clubs or case competitions.
Tools: Get hands-on with Google Analytics, Tableau, or CRM platforms through free certifications (e.g., Google Analytics Academy).
Experience: Seek internships or part-time roles in marketing or research (e.g., at your college’s marketing department or local businesses). Join marketing clubs or case competitions.
That’s a great question—and it's smart of you to think beyond the typical “social media manager” role. Digital marketing is a broad field, and your interest in analyzing consumer data and behavior opens the door to many exciting, in-demand careers. As a digital marketing major interested in analyzing consumer data and behavior, you have a variety of career paths beyond social media manager that align with your curiosity.
1. Marketing Analyst / Consumer Insights Analyst
What you'll do: Interpret data from campaigns, surveys, and user behavior to understand what customers want and how they behave.
Skills needed: Google Analytics, Excel, SQL, data visualization (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), statistics.
Why it fits you: You’ll dive deep into consumer behavior patterns and help companies make data-driven decisions.
2. Digital Marketing Strategist
What you'll do: Develop and oversee comprehensive digital marketing campaigns across channels (SEO, PPC, email, social).
Skills needed: Marketing strategy, analytics tools, paid ad platforms (Google Ads, Meta Ads), A/B testing.
Bonus: You'll use data insights to shape full-funnel marketing strategies.
3. SEO/SEM Specialist
What you'll do: Optimize website content and paid ads to improve visibility in search engines.
Skills needed: Google Search Console, SEO tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush), keyword research, copywriting basics.
Why it’s data-focused: You’ll analyze search trends, click-through rates, and conversion data constantly.
4. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Specialist
What you'll do: Improve website and ad performance through testing and user experience analysis.
Skills needed: A/B testing, user behavior tools (Hotjar, Crazy Egg), web design basics, UX principles.
Appeal: You mix data and creativity to drive measurable growth.
5. Marketing Automation Specialist
What you'll do: Design automated email campaigns and customer journeys using platforms like HubSpot, Mailchimp, or Salesforce.
Skills needed: CRM systems, email marketing, customer segmentation, analytics.
Why it's analytical: You measure engagement and refine touch points based on behavior.
6. Growth Marketer / Performance Marketer
What you'll do: Focus on acquiring and retaining users using data-driven methods (ads, email, content, landing pages).
Skills needed: Funnels, metrics like CAC/LTV, cohort analysis, paid media.
Fast-paced: Often found in startups where testing and iteration are constant.
7. UX Researcher (with marketing focus)
What you'll do: Conduct user research, interviews, and usability testing to guide product or marketing strategies.
Skills needed: Survey tools, data analysis, behavioral psychology, storytelling.
Interesting angle: You focus on why users act the way they do.
8. Brand Strategist (with a research focus)
What you'll do: Shape how a brand is perceived by understanding market positioning and customer sentiment.
Skills needed: Market research, competitor analysis, consumer psychology, qualitative research.
Ideal if: You love both data and storytelling.
Roles like consumer insights analyst, digital marketing analyst, and CRM specialist are particularly strong fits for your interest in consumer data and behavior, offering a blend of creativity and analytics. Growth marketing and behavioral marketing are exciting for fast-paced, experimental work. If you lean toward technical skills, consider upskilling for a marketing-focused data scientist role long-term. Start exploring these through internships and certifications to build a clearer path by your junior year.
David recommends the following next steps: